Windcatcher: Inflates in seconds with NO power or pumping

[Aushiker]

I like the concept, but not so sure about the mat itself from a bushwalking perspective.

Details on the Windcatcher kickstarter project can be found here.



Regards
Andrew

[Gusto]

Nice idea.

The inside of the mat wouldn't be able to have any insulation.

However maybe a Neo-Air could be designed like this.

I like the idea of being able to dry the inside of the mat by having a large opening.

[creeping_moses]

Very impressive. As a neo-air user, I am now going to curse Thermarest's R&D department every time I nearly pass-out due to the 25 breaths it takes to inflate my mattress. I hope these guys do well!

[Strider]

The inside of the mat wouldn't be able to have any insulation.

This would really depend on how much of the final air fill is actually breath derived and not just entrained from the surrounding air. Awesome concept!

[Gusto]

I wasn't referring to moisture. Most of the air inside the mat is from the surrounding air, not the persons breath. It''s the same concept as the Instaflator.

My comment was actually about if there was loose insulation then it may fall out. Presumably, For this design to work there needs to be a pathway for the air to travel with very little resistance. So the fabric of the mat has to be very light and without obstructions inside the mat too.

[michael_p]

Just a quick word on inflating a non self-inflating mat.

I have two Big Agnes sleeping mats, one Clearview (which is like an air bed) and one Insulated Air Core (closer to a traditional mat). Both are non self-inflating. I developed my own inflation system using a balloon pump. I was surprised at how much harder the Insulated Air Core mat was to blow up. The Clearview mat fills up in no time but the other one takes a lot more effort and requires a few good puffs to complete the filling process.

Cheers,
Michael.